Internet connects Nobel laureate to readers
By some measures, Elfriede Jelinek's world is small. The reclusive Nobel literature laureate cloisters herself inside her homes in Vienna and Munich, Germany, and rarely ventures out in public.

Leopard hunt in Africa was ethical
I'm sure many in the Juneau community share Sherrie Jans' views regarding the ethics of leopard hunting printed in Tuesday's Juneau Empire. She is quite correct that Bill Adair and I put ourselves in harm's way.

Mining industry should pay fair-market value
The Juneau Empire's front-page story, "State Mining Profits Surge," on Monday, showed that the mining industry is reaping profits from high mineral prices, with zinc being the most profitable commodity.

Commute from Valley could be invigorating
As I have suggested in the past (letters to the editor, July 24, 2001) the solution to the Mendenhall Valley-downtown commute is not a light rail system but rather a high-speed roller coaster, complete with zero-G rolls, loop-d-loops and camel backs.

Photo: Polished Lady J
Mike Elliott sands the mahogany stern platform of the Lady J on Thursday in Auke Bay Harbor as he prepares the boat for the summer season. The Lady J, owned by John Wilkins Jr. of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 4 Juneau, takes disabled U.S. military veterans fishing for free.

City, ATV group plan park
After years of trying to find an adequate place to ride, outdoor recreation vehicle enthusiasts may soon have a place to call their own.

Officials are 'hungry' for barge details
Alaska and federal officials have a list of questions and few answers about a Canadian mining company's plan to use a hoverbarge to transport supplies on the Taku River from the state capital to the Tulsequah Chief mine, roughly 40 miles northeast of downtown.

Tom Anderson bribery trial begins Monday
Former state Rep. Tom Anderson, R-Anchorage, goes on trial Monday in Anchorage, in a case which may be linked to the ongoing political corruption investigation involving VECO Corp. executives and other state legislators.

Navy officer sentenced to four years in prison
Cmdr. Robert Schetky, formerly the top-ranking Navy officer in Alaska, was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison with two years suspended for the attempted sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl.

Family Day at the Lake
Hayley Trimpert, 4, shows off a king salmon caught during the annual Family Day at the Lake, and her first day in Juneau on June 9 at Twin Lakes.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a weekly feature on the Neighbors page and is in collaboration with the United Way of Southeast Alaska.

Berggren and Perez wed
Christina Perez, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Keith H. Berggren, of Juneau, were married on May 19, 2007, at Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi.

Shee Atiká elects new officers, honors directors
With nearly 60 percent of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the 33rd annual meeting of Shee Atik, the Alaska Native claims urban corporation for Sitka shareholders, met on June 16 and voted to return two long-serving directors and elect a replacement for a retiring director.

Neighbors mailbox
Thanks for supporting our annual food drive, Thanks for making Earth Day educational,Thanks for contributing to our dance team, Thanks for condolences during our loss, Thanks for showing true meaning of community, Thanks for running our Field Days events

Photo: Puls to speak
For the fourth summer, the Rev. Arthur Puls, right, joined by his wife, Gloria, of Alpine, Calif., will visit Juneau to speak at Faith Lutheran Church.

Photo: Making music
From left, Juneau Arts and Humanities Council Executive Director Nancy DeCherney, observes as Juneau Community Foundation Board President Reed Stoops gives the violin a test drive on Monday, under the tutelage of Franz Felkl, with encouragement from Kristina Paulick on French Horn.

Kunz and Davis wed
Julie Davis and Steve Kunz, of Juneau, were married on May 26, 2007, in Juneau. The ceremony was officiated by friend Joseph Reeves. A reception followed at Auke Village Recreational Area.

Pets of the week
Cody is an incredible 6-year-old, neutered male husky mix. He is incredibly friendly and smart as a whip. "Sit," "shake" and "down" are all in his vocabulary. He is hanging out with the doggie day care crew to learn the ins and outs of good socialization.

The ole curiosity shop of Peter the Great
My son Allan on his trips to Russia has met many of the leading historians of the Russian American field and the heads of famous museums. One is the Peter the Great Museum of Ethnography at St.Petersburg.

My turn: Admitting defeat is hard for George
"Hillary, get out here a minute, would you?" "OK, OK. Jeez, George, what time is - holy heck! What is that?" "I think it's a bear." "George, it's got a hold of your leg! How did this happen?"

Kenai fire continues to grow
fire burning on the Kenai Peninsula about 30 miles north of Homer more than doubled in size overnight and is estimated at about 6,000 acres, Division of Forestry officials said Thursday.